Shedding Some Light on Headlight Replacement

You can drive for years without having to replace a headlight. Inevitably, however, one will go out not only in your car but in your wife’s. Sure, you can have it repaired professionally, but be prepared to pay $100 or more – per light – for this fix.

Luckily, it’s not a difficult do-it-yourself project, particularly if you have a newer vehicle, and with any luck you can get out for less than $40 bucks to get both cars on the road again.

The first thing you should do is check your owners’ manuals for the vehicles: It will tell you how to get access to the bulb.

Older cars

Most have sealed headlight bulbs, which can be removed from the front of the car by unscrewing the ring around the bulb. However, you will have to disconnect the electrical connectors in the back of the headlight. Take the headlight to a parts store and ask for help finding the correct replacement.

When you take the bulb from its packaging, do not touch the surface of it. The oils on your skin can damage it and cause it to burn out quicker. It’s best if you can use a cotton cloth or gloves to hold it. Push the headlight partway into the slot, re-engage the connectors and then push the bulb in the rest of the way. Tighten it by screwing the ring in again.

Newer cars

Depending on how you look at it, this could be an easier process. After reviewing the owner’s manual, pop the hood. Find the housing and remove it – depending on the model of your car, you may have to remove some screws. Turn the socket counterclockwise to loosen it from the tabs. Pull the socket and the bulb out.

Remove the bulb from the socket, take it to the parts store and get a replacement. Again, do not touch the surface of the bulb as you take it out of the packaging and screw it into the socket. Insert the socket into the housing and turn it clockwise to tighten it.

What’s left? It may sound stupid, but regardless of whether you have an older car or a newer model, be sure to test the light. If it doesn’t work, you’ve got other problems – the wiring may be bad or there could be corrosion. At this point, you’d be best served to go a professional.

Source: AutoInsurance